Bath Rugby pulled off a gritty 28-16 victory over Sale Sharks on Friday night, October 2, 2025, at the Recreation Ground in Bath, Somerset — but the win came at a steep cost. Head of Rugby Johann van Graan confirmed three devastating injuries to his second-row unit: Charlie Ewels and Quinn Roux both suffered knee ligament damage, while Ted Hill twisted his ankle during a frantic second-half scramble. All three are expected to be sidelined for several weeks, throwing Bath’s forward depth into chaos just as the season’s toughest stretch begins.
The Injury Domino Effect
It wasn’t just bad luck — it was a cascade. Ewels went off in the 28th minute after a heavy landing in a lineout contest. Ross Molony, the veteran lock, came on to plug the gap. Then, in the 52nd minute, Roux collapsed under his own weight after a ruck, clutching his right knee. With no other specialist locks on the bench, Hill — normally the blindside flanker — was shifted into the second row. He lasted just 11 minutes before limping off with his own injury. Van Graan didn’t mince words: "Charlie will be out for a number of weeks with his knee. Ted has gone for some more specialist opinion; it’s his ankle, so that’ll be a few weeks that he’ll be out. And Quinn is similar, too, he did his knee, so we’ll just take our time and see how long that takes for him to come back."
That’s three starters — all key contributors to Bath’s set-piece dominance — out for the next six to eight weeks. The club’s medical team, led by Rory Murray, now faces a logistical nightmare. With no senior lock on the bench, Bath had to turn to academy prospect Sam Underhill, who’s primarily a flanker, to cover the second row in the final 15 minutes. "That’s just the game," van Graan said. "You have got to adapt. Whoever pulls on the jersey will make sure they perform on the weekend."
Sale’s Fight and Missed Opportunities
Sale Sharks, coming off a bonus-point win over Gloucester Rugby in Round One, looked sharp early. Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson rotated his squad, bringing back Hyron Andrews to the second row and shifting captain Ernst van Rhyn to the back row after Jacques Vermeulen (hamstring) and Rekeiti Ma’asi-White (ankle) were sidelined. Bevan Rodd and Asher Opoku-Fordjour led the front row, while Nathan Jibulu scored his first Premiership try in his debut start.
Sale led 10-7 at halftime after a clever chip-and-chase from Tom O’Flaherty that set up a try for Joe Carpenter. But Bath’s defense stiffened. Their scrum, battered but resilient, began to dominate after the break. Fly-half George Ford — who had been quiet early — kicked two penalty goals and set up a try for winger Will Chudley with a perfectly timed grubber in the 58th minute. The visitors lost momentum after Tom Burrow was sin-binned for a late tackle, and Bath capitalized with two quick tries to seal the win.
The Bigger Picture: A Grind Ahead
Bath now face three consecutive away games — against arch-rivals Gloucester Rugby, Leicester Tigers, and Bristol Bears — before the Autumn Internationals break. Each of those teams has top-tier forward packs. Without Ewels, Roux, and Hill, Bath’s lineout stability and maul defense are in serious jeopardy. Van Graan admitted: "We’ve got a lot of work to do in the next 10 days. We’re looking at academy players, we’re looking at loan options. There’s no magic fix."
Meanwhile, England winger Will Muir, who’s been sidelined since a pre-season ankle injury against Worcester Warriors, remains a question mark. Van Graan said his return "has been a bit slower than anticipated," but noted Muir has been training with the squad. "I’m not going to rush him back. The season lasts so long. We’ll make a decision at the back end of the week." That’s a telling sign: Bath’s management is thinking long-term, not just next Saturday.
A Streak That Won’t Die
Bath’s victory extends their winning streak against Sale to four straight matches since the Sharks’ 11-9 win at Corpacq Stadium in November 2023. Sale, meanwhile, have lost their last three visits to the Recreation Ground — despite winning four of their last seven away Premiership games overall. The pattern is clear: Bath thrive here. Sale struggle here. And now, with their own injury concerns — Vermeulen’s hamstring, Ma’asi-White’s ankle — Sale’s momentum has stalled.
What’s Next?
Bath’s medical staff will meet Monday to assess whether to activate any loan players from the Championship. They’re also monitoring the fitness of 20-year-old lock Joshua Smith, who played 40 minutes for Bath’s U23s last weekend. Meanwhile, Sale’s Alex Sanderson will likely turn to veteran lock WillGriff John for more minutes — a move that could impact his availability for international duty next month.
For now, Bath celebrate a hard-fought win. But the real test begins next week. The players on the pitch didn’t just win a game — they bought time. Now the coaching staff must find a way to keep the ship from sinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will Bath replace Ewels, Roux, and Hill in the next three games?
Bath has no senior locks on the bench, so they’re turning to academy player Joshua Smith and converting flanker Sam Underhill into a temporary lock. They’re also exploring loan options from the Championship, with Gloucester’s Ben Vellacott being a rumored target. Without specialist training, expect less dominant lineouts and more reliance on open play.
Why is Will Muir’s return being delayed despite training?
Muir’s ankle injury, sustained in August, has shown signs of lingering inflammation. Van Graan is prioritizing long-term fitness over short-term gain, especially with the Autumn Internationals looming. Rushing him back risks re-injury and could sideline him for months. He’s been doing individual drills but hasn’t yet joined full contact sessions.
What’s the historical significance of Bath’s win over Sale?
Bath have now won four consecutive matches against Sale since November 2023, and Sale have lost their last three games at the Recreation Ground. This isn’t just about momentum — it’s psychological. Sale’s last win in Bath was in 2019. The venue has become a fortress, and Sale’s inability to break through here is becoming a pattern.
How does this injury crisis compare to Bath’s past seasons?
This is the worst second-row injury wave since 2017, when Joe Cokanasiga and Ben Spencer both missed months. Back then, Bath lost six of eight games. This time, they’re better positioned financially and in youth development. Still, losing three starting forwards in one game is unprecedented in the Gallagher Premiership era — and it’s a major test of their squad depth.
Is Sale’s performance a sign of improvement or just a missed opportunity?
Sale showed attacking flair but lacked the physicality to close out the game. Their scrum was dominated after the 50th minute, and their discipline cost them — Tom Burrow’s sin-bin was the turning point. They’re improving, but they still lack the forward cohesion to win in hostile environments. This loss isn’t a setback — it’s a reality check.
What’s the impact on the Premiership standings?
Bath climb to fifth place with 10 points, just two behind leaders Leicester Tigers. Sale drop to seventh after their first loss of the season. With three tough away games ahead, Bath’s survival in the top six now hinges on their ability to adapt. Sale, meanwhile, must win their next two home games to stay in the playoff race — a tall order without Vermeulen and Ma’asi-White.